Detergent composition including dust inhibiting agent



States atent 3,7,344 Patented Feb. 26, 1963 Free 3,079,344 DETERGENT COMPOSITHUN INCLUDENG DUST INHIEITHNG AGENT Walter Fries, Erkrath-Unterbach, and Herbert Sinner, Dusseldorf-Bertram, Germany, assignors to Henkel & Cie. G.rn.b.H., Dusseidorf-Iliolthausen, Germany No Erawing. Fiied Sept. 22, 1953, Ser. No. 762,242 Claims priority, appiication Germany Sept. 27, 1957 (Iiairns. ((31. 252-113) This invention relates to detergent compositions made up of particle form solids and including an agent for inhibiting dusting of the composition.

In order to remove firmly adherent dirt from the surfaces of solid materials with the exception of textiles, there are employed in households, in business enterprises and likewise in industry, the known scouring agents which are composed mostly of a predominant portion of a Waterinsoluble component of mechanical cleaning-action and of a water-soluble component present in smaller quantity which has surface active properties in that it assists in the cleaning action of the component of mechanical cleaning-action. There are available on the market preparations of different degrees of fineness; in the case of the coarser scouring agents, the particle size of the waterinsoluble components which exert a mechanical cleaningaction go up to about 1 mm. and preferably go to 0.7 mm. In the case of the finer preparations, there are in general not to be found particles of a size of more than 0.3 mm. and preferably 0.1 mm., either because larger components are not present at all or because their quantity is within the limit of error customary in screen analyses. These finely granular scouring agents are not used merely to remove coarse dirt but also for the shining of utensils, for instance those of aluminum, copper, brass or other metal alloys, or else for cleaning the hands. Since in the case of such finely granular scouring agents, the average particle size of the water-soluble components is frequently less than the average particle size of the water-insoluble components dusting occurs very easily in the case of such preparations, causing unpleasant irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose, the mouth and larynx.

it has been found that the tendency of such compositions to dust can be inhibted by including in the composition a dust inhibiting component in the form of a nonhygroscopic salt which contains water of crystallization.

Accordingly, the invention provides a detergent comprising a water-insoluble component, for providing abrading action, a water-soluble component, comprising essentially the surface active agent, and a dust inhibiting component, which is provided to inhibit the dusting tendency of the Water-soluble component. Each of the components mentioned is present in the composition in a separate discrete phase, e.g. discrete solid particles of each component are present in the composition. Typically, the water-insoluble component is of larger size particles than the water-soluble component. The dust inhibiting component comprises essentially a non-hygroscopic salt, which contains water of crystallization, and is present in the composition in an amount effective to inhibit the tendency of the water-soluble component to form dust.

The dust inhibiting component, in a preferred embodi merit of the invention, has a vapor pressure of at least 11 mm. of mercury at 20 C. and can be, for example, inorganic hydrates, such as: Na SO -l0H O and It is not necessary to use the hydrates in the highest hydrate stage, and lower hydrate stages can be employed provided that the vapor pressure exceeds at least 11 mm. of mercury at 20 C. The particle size of the dust inhibiting agent is not critical. It can be of a size approximating that of other particles in the composition.

The amount of dust inhibitor employed in the compositions is generally in the range of 1% to 5% by weight of the water-insoluble component, water-soluble component, and the dust inhibitor. Smaller amounts usually fail to inhibit dusting to the extent desired, and larger amounts, while they can be used, in general provide no added benefit. the hydrate which refer to the water added in the form of water of crystallization that are equivalent to a quantity of about 2-to-4% by weight of Na SO -10H O. Accordingly, the amount of dust inhibiting agent employed is such that the amount of water present in the composition as hydrate is: 0.5-to-3% and preferably about 1to-2%, of the weight of the composition including the water-insoluble component, the water-soluble component, and the dust inhibiting agent.

As water-insoluble component, quartz enters primarily into consideration but the invention is by no means limited to scouring agents, the water-insoluble component of which consists of ground quartz. Instead of ground quartz, there can be used any other desired comminuted water-insoluble materials, particularly natural materials. As such, there may be mentioned for instance ground marble, limestone, dolomite, pumice stone or other ground rocks. In general, the quantity of water-insoluble component exceeds the quantity of water-soluble component on a weight basis and is preferably to by weight of the total composition.

As water-soluble components, there can be present the known substances customarily present in water-soluble cleansing agents and detergents, in which connection there may be concerned inorganic salts of alkaline or neutral reaction and/ or organic surface-active substances. As inorganic salts of alkaline or neutral reaction, there may be mentioned for instance the carbonates, bicarbonates, triple or double orthophosphate, pyro, meta or polyphos phates of the alkalis. In the case of the polyphosphates, compounds of the formula Na P O and Na P O are of particular practical importance. In general, the watersoluble component of such scouring agents has an alkaline reaction and salts of ammonia, such as ammonium chlo ride, ammonium sulfate and technical ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate and technical ammonium carbonate can be added to such cleansing agents. As organic watersoluble substances, there may be mentioned in particular anion-active surface-active substances, particularly the hardness-resistant synthetic types. Soap can be the watersoluble agent or a component thereof. In addition, there may be mentioned the synthetic surface-active substances with solubilizing sulfonic acid or sulfuric acid ester group for which the name Syndets has gained acceptance. They include for instance the alkyl sulfonates, alkylbenzone or alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, fatty alcohol glycerine ether sulfates, etc., which contain alkyl groups having 10-20 and preferably 12-18 carbon atoms.

In the manufacture of the watersoluble component, in general, a fine powder of this component is prepared by hot atomization (i.e. spray drying) of an aqueous pasty batch of the component. The powder may have for instance the following composition:

1050% by weight, preferably 25-40% by weight of organic surface-active substance, preferably of the aforementioned surface-active types;

50-90% by weight, preferably 6075% by weight inorganic salts, preferably the aforementioned inorganic salts; and

0.05.0% by weight, preferably 20-30% by weight water.

This very fine spray powder which is then admixed with the water-insoluble components in general gives rise to dusting and to the irritating phenomena described above.

There can also be admixed, included in the detergent There are preferably employed quantities of.

1; a composition, water-soluble components which have not been. prepared by spray drying of an aqueous pasty batch. This applies in particular to those substances which could not be added because of the presence of water during spraying and/ or because'of heating which occurs upon the spraying. This is the case for instance in connection with compounds containing active chlorine or, although only to a limited extent, in the case of tripolyphosphates. The quantity of the non-atomized admixed component can amount to up to 60% by weight of the water-soluble component.

In compounding the composition of the invention, salts which contain water of crystallization can be added to the water-insoluble component, the water-soluble component when it is in the form of a dry powder, or, to an admixture of these components, or they can be added during the mixing of the water-insoluble and the watersoluble components. Accordingly, the salts which contain water of crystallization are present viewed mechanically in the detergent compositions of the invention as separate mixture components, i.e. as a discrete phase. Thus, the particles of the salts which contain water of crystallization are not bound with the particles of the water-soluble component prepared by hot spraying as would be the case if the salts containing water of crystallization were present in material subjected to spray drying.

Example I To this ground quartz, there are added, in the quantities indicated further below calcined soda, carboxymethylcellulose, salt containing water of crystallization and a powder containing surface-active substances prepared by hot spraying. The latter contains:

Percent Fatty alcohol sulfate (C -C Na-salt) 15 Alkylbenzene sulfonate (alkyl=C Na-salt) 20 Sodium sulfate (anhydrous) 63 Water 2 The scouring agent prepared in mixing machines from the aforementioned raw materials and intermediate products contains:

Percent Ground quartz 80.0 Soda (anhydrous) 9.0 Carboxymethyleellulose powder 0.1 Na SO .10H O 2.0 Spray powder of the above composition 8.9

If this product is compared with a product to which instead of the 2% N21 SO JH O, only calcined soda, calcined 1021 80 or spray powder is admixed, it is observed, upon sprinkling from a sprinkle can with a sprinkle cover having holes of about 5 mm. diameter customarily used for scouring agents, that the quantities of dust from compositions according to the invention produced upon the individual sprinkling motions have become very small. Upon sprinkling the powder on dark surfaces this behavior can be very easily noted.

4.- Example II With the use of a ground quartz oi the following screen analysis:

0.2% by weight rejected on a screen of 0.2 mm. inside mesh width 7.0% by weight rejected on a screen of 0.09 mm. inside mesh width 39.0% by weight rejected on a screen of 0.06 mm. inside mesh width 63.8% by weight passed through screenof 0.06 mm.

inside mesh width there is prepared in accordance with the method described in Example 1 a scouring agent having the following composition:

Percent Ground quartz 82.0 Sodium pyrophosphate (calc.) 4.0 Carboxymethylcellulose powder 0.1

Spray powder of the composition indicated in examplel 10.4

' particle-form water-soluble component of a particle size smaller than that of said water-insoluble component and selected from the group consisting of alkali metal carbonate, alkali metal bi-carbonate, alkali metal triple orthophosphate, alkali metal double orthophosphate, alkali metal pyrophosphate, alkali metal metaphosphate, alkali metal polyphosphate, ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium carbonate, and mixtures thereof, together with a surface active member selected from the group consisting of alkylsulfonate having an alkyl group of from 10 to 20' carbon atoms, alkylbenzene sulfonate having an 'alkyl group of from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate having an alkyl group of from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, fatty alcohol glycerine ether sulfate, having a fatty alcohol radical of from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, fatty alcohol sulfate having a fatty alcohol radical of from 12 to 16 carbon atoms, and water-soluble soap, and mixtures thereof, and a nonhygroscopic inorganic salt dust-inhibiting component which contains water of crystallization, said dust-inhibiting component being in a discrete phase separate from the water-insoluble and water-soluble components and having a vapor pressure of at least 11 mm. of Hg at 20 degrees C. and being selected from the group consisting of hydrates of Na SO and Na CO the amount of said water-insoluble component exceeding by weight the amount of said water-soluble component and being from about 65 to 90% by weight of the total composition, and the amount of said dust-inhibiting component being effective for inhibiting the tendency of the water-soluble component to dust and ranging from about 1 to 5% by weight of the total composition.

2. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein said water-insoluble component has a particle size of from about 0.06 to 1 mm.

3. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein said water-insolublecomponent has a particle size of from about 0.06 to 0.3 mm.

4. A dust-inhibited abrasive detergent composition consisting essentially of 80% by weight of ground quartz havinga particle size which does not exceed 0.3 min,

3.5% Na CO JOH O as dust-inhibiting agent and 10.4%

5 of a powder prepared by spray-drying and having the following composition:

15% sodium fatty alcohol sulfate having a fatty alcohol radical of from 12 to lo carbon atoms 20% sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate having an alkyl radical with 12 carbon atoms 63% anhydrous sodium sulfate and 2% Water.

References tilted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,968,628 Alton July 31, 1934 2,715,110 Packard Aug. 9, 1955 2,739,129 Manchot Mar. 20, 1956 

1. AN ABRASIVE DETERGENT COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A PARTICLE-FORM WATER-INSOLUBLE NATURALLY OCCURING ABRASIVE COMPONENT OF A PARTICLE SIZE UP TO ABOUT 1 MM. SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF QUARTZ, MARBLE, LIMESTONE, DOLOMITE, PUMICE STONE AND ROCK, A PARTICLE-FORM WATER-SOLUBLE COMPONENT OF A PARTICLE SIZE SMALLER THAN THAT OF SAID WATER-INSOLUBLE COMPONENT AND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ALKALI METAL CARBONATE, ALKALI METAL BI-CARBONATE, ALKALI METAL TRIPLE ORTHOPHOSPHATE, ALKALI METAL DOUBLE ORTHOPHOSPHATE, ALKALI METAL PROPHOSPHATE, ALKALI METAL METAPHOSPHATE, ALKALI METAL POLYPHOSPHATE, AMMONIUM CHLORIDE, AMMONIUM SULFATE, AMMONIUM CARBONATE, AND MIXTURES THEREOF, TOGETHER WITH A SURFACE ACTIVE MEMBER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ALKYLSULFONATE HAVING AN ALKYL GROUP OF FROM 10 TO 20 CARBON ATOMS, ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE HAVING AN ALKYL GROUP OF FROM 10 TO 20 CARBON ATOMS, ALKYLNAPHTHALENE SULFONATE HAVING A ALKYL GROUP OF FROM 10 TO 20 CARBON ATOMS, FATTY ALCOHOL GLYCERINE ETHER SULFATE, HAVING A FATTY ALCOHOL RADICAL OF FROM 10 TO 20 CARBON ATOMS, FATTY ALCOHOL SULFATE HAVING A FATTY ALCOHOL RADICAL OF FROM 12 TO 16 CARBON ATOMS, AND WATER-SOLUBLE SOAP, AND MIXTURES THEREOF, AND A NONHYGROSCOPIC INORGANIC SALT DUST-INHIBITING COMPONENT WHICH CONTAINS WATER OF CRYSTALLIZATION, SALT DUST-INHIBITING COMPONENT BEING IN A DISCRETE PHASE SEPARATE FROM THE WATER-INSOLUBLE AND WATER-SOLUBLE COMPONENTS AND WATER-SOLUBLE SOAP, AND MIXTURES THEREOF, AND A NONDEGREES C. AND BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HYDRATES OF NA2SO4 AND NA2CO3, THE AMOUNT OF SAID WATER-INSOLUBLE COMPONENT EXCEEDING BY WEIGHT THE AMOUNT OF SAID WATER-SOLUBLE COMPONENT AND BEING FROM ABOUT 65 TO 90% BY WEIGHT OF THE TOTAL COMPOSITION, AND THE AMOUNT OF SAID DUST-INHIBITING COMPONENT BEING EFFECTIVE FOR INHIBITNG THE TENDENCY OF THE WATER-SOLUBLE COMPONENT TO DUST AND RANGING FROM ABOUT 1 TO 5% BY WEIGHT OF THE TOTAL COMPOSITION. 